CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical University of South
Carolina (MUSC) today announced the results of a functional MRI (fMRI)
study examining the effects of VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) Therapy(TM)
for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The study, led by
Ziad Nahas, M.D., associate professor, MUSC Department of Psychiatry,
appears in the August 2007 issue of peer-reviewed Neuropsychopharmacology.
The results show that VNS Therapy modulates areas of the brain that control
mood. The researchers also identified variables, such as length of use,
strength of stimulation and level of depression, to better understand the
impact of VNS Therapy.

"These data provide further insight into VNS therapy's distinct
mechanism of action and support its previously demonstrated long-term,
sustained efficacy," Nahas said. "We are encouraged to see the unique
benefit VNS therapy may bring to patients with one of the most
difficult-to-treat forms of depression and are excited to continue
neurostimulation research at MUSC."

The study illustrates that VNS Therapy modifies activity of the medial
prefrontal cortex, the same area of the brain targeted by many
antidepressant medications and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A critical
time for such effective modulation occurs approximately at 30 weeks of
treatment. Such modulation could support VNS Therapy's unique mechanism of
action as a long- term treatment for chronic or recurrent depression and
directly corresponds with the timeframe in which patients typically
experience a decrease in symptoms. Further analysis of the data
demonstrates that modulation of the brain is a dynamic process that over
time leads to indirectly related improved response with continued use.
These findings corroborate an earlier MUSC-led study that revealed
approximately two-thirds of patients who respond to VNS Therapy continue to
experience significant clinical benefit at 24 months, making VNS Therapy
the only treatment for TRD to demonstrate such long-term improvements.

The FDA approved VNS therapy in 2005 as an adjunctive long-term
treatment of chronic or recurrent depression for patients (18 years of age
or older) who are experiencing a major depressive episode and have not had
an adequate response to four or more antidepressant treatments. It is the
only device ever studied and approved for treatment-resistant depression.
VNS therapy is delivered from a small pacemaker-like device implanted in
the chest area that sends mild pulses to the brain via the vagus nerve in
the neck.

Nahas' esteemed colleague Mark S. George, M.D., MUSC Departments of
Psychiatry, Neurology and Radiology, shares this vision and supports the
need for additional research to maximize the potential of neurostimulation
as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent. George has launched a new
international, peer-reviewed journal that is dedicated to exploring the
field of neuromodulation. Published by Elsevier, Brain Stimulation: Basic,
Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation strives to provide
the most comprehensive collection of research being conducted in this
emerging field. As editor-in-chief, George's extensive experience
researching neurostimulation applications will aide him in facilitating and
shaping the field's promising future.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina
is the oldest medical school in the south. Today, MUSC continues the
tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC is
home to over 3,000 students and residents, as well as nearly 10,000
employees, including 1,300 faculty members. As the largest non-federal
employer in Charleston, the University and its affiliates have collective
budgets in excess of $1.3 billion per year. MUSC operates a 600 bed medical
center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital and a
leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic
information or clinical services visit http://www.musc.edu or http://www.muschealth.com.

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